I would like to congratulate Challenger Concept (M) Sdn Bhd for the successful release of the annual Training Guide Malaysia which is now in its 9th edition. This yearly guidebook promotes the training industry and is complemented by the web portal www.trainingmalaysia.com.

This guidebook and its web-portal complement the Ministry’s efforts in disseminating information on training and HR development to the workforce, particularly those who are interested in training, re-training, and skills or abilities upgrading in the working world. It is also an indispensable guidebook for school leavers who are seeking vocational and technical education, and training opportunities in Malaysia. Challenger Concept’s commitment indeed is commendable.

The Ministry of Human Resources is moving forward fast; and has set achievable targets and formulated strategies to propel Malaysia towards being a developed country by year 2020. Among the most important agenda is the investment in human capital. The government has progressively increased the budget for the education and training sector to produce a quality human capital in achieving the National Mission. The Ministry has incorporated a Skill Development Fund with the objective of helping school leavers to be trained with the right skills for the job. As for the existing workforce, the fund will help them to develop their skills for better career advancement.

In producing and increasing the pool of knowledge-base and multi-skilled human capital with high moral value, the Ministry will continue to expand and upgrade the Ministry’s technical training institutes, enhance the quality
of its delivery system, review and upgrade curriculum, strengthen the student-centre teaching and learning approach, upgrade quality of instructors and expand instructor training programmes, enhance collaboration with industry, as well as expand courses related to emerging technologies.

The Ministry encourages greater collaboration among the Government, private sector of education and training, as well as the community by working together to produce a skilled nation with the appropriate skills needed for all the industries.

Once again, I applaud the contributions of Challenger Concept in creating such platforms to disseminate information on training opportunities in Malaysia.